en Effects of Anethum graveolens, Urticadioica, Milk thistle Aqueous Extract and Deferoxamine on total iron binding capacity ,iron and ferritin levels عمومى General پژوهشي orginal article <strong><em>Background & Aims</em></strong>: Iron overload is one of the medical problems in some diseases. Recent reports have indicated a need for iron chelator. In this study, the possible iron chelating properties of aqueous extracts of A.graveolens, Urtica dioica and milk thistle on total iron binding capacity, iron and ferritin levels in iron overloaded rats were investigated.<br> <strong><em>Materials & Methods</em></strong>: Fresh A.graveolens&nbsp;and Urtica dioica leaves&nbsp;and milk thistle seeds were obtained from the local market. Fortyeight male rats were randomly divided into six groups: negative control (normal), positive control (iron overload) and groups treated with deferoxamine (DFO), aqueous extracts of A.graveolens, Urtica dioica and milk thistle. Iron dextran was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at 50mg/kg body weight/day to establish the iron overload for twelve weeks. Normal group rats received normal saline, while the rats of the treated groups received (orally) aqueous extracts of A.graveolens, Urtica dioica and Milk thistle and DFO daily for eight weeks. Changes in biochemical factors were measured at the end of the experiment.<br> <strong><em>Results</em></strong>: After twelve weeks of iron dextran treatment, we found a significant increase in iron and ferritin levels and a decrease in total iron binding capacity (TIBC) level compared to normal group (229.0&plusmn;5.85, 181.22&plusmn;5.53 and 200.54 &plusmn;1.51 vs. 131.90&plusmn;6.85, 50.25 &plusmn;4.01 and 291.71, respectively). After eight weeks of treatment with extracts and DFO, there was significant reduction in serum iron level of extracts of A.graveolens, Urtica dioica and milk thistle and DFO treated groups compared to iron overloaded group (185.81&plusmn;3.5, 180.88&plusmn;2.73, 200.6&plusmn;2.44, 176.48 &plusmn;2.29 vs. 229.0&plusmn;85.5). Also, there was a significant increase in serum TIBC level in the extracts of A.graveolens, Urtica dioica and milk thistle and DFO treated groups compared to iron‑overloaded rats (218.62&plusmn;2.44, 226.74&plusmn;2.71, 211.06&plusmn;1.86, 231.57 &plusmn;2.05 vs. 200.54&plusmn;1.51, respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in serum ferritin level in the extracts of A.graveolens, Urtica dioica and milk thistle and DFO treated groups compared to iron‑overloaded rats (130.49&plusmn;4.24, 121.96&plusmn;4.31, 140.63&plusmn;3.82, 112.87 &plusmn;4.60 vs.181.22&plusmn;5.53). So after eight weeks treatment with aqueous extracts of A.graveolens, Urtica dioica and milk thistle, we found a significant reduction in iron and ferritin and an increase in TIBC level. These effects indicated the following hierarchy: Urticadioica&nbsp;>Anethum&nbsp;graveolens&nbsp;> milk thistle.<br> <strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong>: Anethum&nbsp;graveolens, Urtica dioica&nbsp;and milk thistle extracts may be a potential herbal plant to reduce liver damage caused by iron overload. These results indicated that Anethum&nbsp;graveolens, Urtica dioica&nbsp;and milk thistle extracts can preserve liver function. Aqueous extract, Anethum graveolens, desferrioxamine, Urtica dioica and milk thistle 36 43 http://ijrabms.umsu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-100-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mahbubeh Hosseini 1003194753284600507 1003194753284600507 Yes Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Durdi Qujeq dqujeq@gmail.com 1003194753284600508 1003194753284600508 No Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center (CMBRC), Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IRAN Ahmad Tamaddoni 1003194753284600509 1003194753284600509 No Clinical Research Development Center, Amircola Children's Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Mohammad Ranaee 1003194753284600510 1003194753284600510 No Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Karimollah Hajian-Tilaki 1003194753284600511 1003194753284600511 No Department of Statistic and Epidmiology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran